Associate
Professor Fabian Lim graduated from the Universities of Oregon (BSC, MSc),
Surrey (MBA) and Queensland (PhD) and is a recipient of the Defence Science
Scholarship from DSTA. He is now the
Assistant Dean for Research and Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology in
Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University. Prior to
this appointment, A/Prof Lim set up the Singapore Sport Institute (SSI) as
the first Executive Director, where he developed Sport Science and Medicine
capabilities to support Singapore’s sport talent pool. Before SSI, A/Prof
Lim spent 20 years in Military Physiology Research, focusing on soldier health,
safety and performance at DSO National Labs, where he held various senior research
and management appointments. A/Prof Lim was also an Adjunct Associate
Professor at the Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine,
National University of Singapore.

A/Prof Lim is recognised internationally
for introducing the Dual Pathway Model of heat stroke, which draws attention to
the role of immune disturbances, instead of heat stress, as the primary trigger
and driver of exertional heat stroke. This model of heat stroke challenges the classical
paradigm of heat stroke that has been held for centuries. A/Prof Lim
has also conducted research and published internationally on Exercise
Immunology, Thermoregulation, Nutrition, Bioenergetics and Obesity. His
professional experience includes establishing the Singapore Sport Science and
Medicine Research Grant and Academic Scholarship. A/Prof Lim is also
a member of the Singapore Armed Forces Fitness Advisory Board and the National
Sports Safety Committee.

Research Focus

The Exercise Physiology Laboratory is positioned to conduct
translational research by bridging the knowledge gap between basic science and
applied research. The laboratory focuses on whole-human experimentation in both
ill and healthy populations and our mission is to investigate the medicinal properties
of habitual exercise in preventing and treating age-associated chronic disease
and the physiological mechanisms that promote and limit work tolerance.

Exercise and Age-Associated Chronic Disease

The strategic space for A/Prof Lim's research in
age-associated chronic disease (ACD) is to investigate the mechanisms and
effects of exercise as a key mediator in preventing, impeding and reversing neuro-cognitive
impairments, musculoskeletal decline and the development of metabolic syndrome
in the ageing continuum. These ACD are commonly reported in older individuals
and they have a common set of mediators, which interacts mechanistically with both
acute and chronic adaptations to exercise stimulus (Fig 1). We collaborates strategically with investigators
who provide expertise in the biomarkers and mechanisms of non-exercise
mediators that influence the risks and development of these ACD.

Research Projects

Occupation and Metabolic Health

A/Prof Lim's lab is interested in using occupation as platform to investigate the
interaction between exercise and metabolic disease. The development of
metabolic disease involves the complex interaction between the host,
environment and disease mechanisms over time. While much is known about the
biological pathways of metabolic disease, knowledge on the primary environment
of the host and the risks of metabolic disease expression are less known. The
occupation-based model provides a useful platform for investigating the
host-environment-disease interaction because workers spend a significant amount
of their wakeful hours in the work environment. Unlike the general population
approach, the occupation-model also provides a more uniform set of
opportunities and limitations in implementing health-related
interventions.In this regards, the taxi
driver vocation provides an ideal living laboratory for investigating these
research questions because the known risk factors for metabolic disease
expression are found in the environment of the trade. If proven to be
successful, this investigation model can be extended to other occupations that
promote the development metabolic syndromes.

Self-reported Habitual Exercise and Metabolic Disease

A/Prof Lim's lab is also
interested in gaining deep understanding on the opposing effects of habitually sedentary
and active lifestyles on metabolic disease development in young, middle-aged
and older populations. As metabolic disease is observed to be occurring in
younger individuals, we are particularly curious about the changing effects of
habitual exercise on risks of metabolic disease across lifespan. These research
questions address the current knowledge gaps on the need to vary management strategies
for the same disease at different life stages. The roles of vascular health, inflammatory
cytokines, microbes and regulation of dietary behaviour in metabolic disease
development will also be investigated.

Exercise Modality and Protection of Musculoskeletal Health

Ageing leads to the loss
of bone density and muscle mass, which are major risk factors for the
development of osteopenia, osteoporosis, sarcopenia and frailty in older men
and women. In Singapore about 20.3% of women >50 years old meet the
criteria of osteoporosis and the incidence of hip fracture between 1991 and
1998 was 152 per 100,000 for men and 402 per 100,000 in women >50 years
old. Compared to 1960, the current incidence rate of osteoporotic fracture is
higher by 1.5 fold in men and 5-fold in women. Notably, the main non-clinical
key risk factors identified for hip fracture was the lack of load bearing
activity in the immediate past and the absence of vigorous sport activities in
young adulthood. Since our musculoskeletal system responds and adapts to
physical stressors, we are interested in understanding the effects of different
exercise modalities on musculoskeletal health of older men and women. This
study will recruit participants (>50 years of age) who have been participating
in brisk walking, running, tai qi, gym exercises and exercises dance classes. The
participants will undergo a series of measurements to measure their
musculoskeletal health status (e.g, body fat, bone density, hand grip and upper
body strength, walking speed, balance test, flexibility and cognitive functions).

Human Movement and Work Tolerance

A/Prof Lim is also interested in the
physiological mechanisms that promote and limit work tolerance in extreme
environment. In this domain, A/Prof Lim investigates the interaction of
physiological pathways that regulate body temperature, fluid balance,
metabolism, gastrointestinal and immune responses during prolonged physical work
exposure in the tropical environment. Besides enhancing work performance, this
domain of research also enhances the understanding on the mechanisms of heat
injury, which is an increasing health threat due to climate changes, especially
in Asia. Between 2013 and 2014, there were 3 bouts of heat waves that resulted
in approximately 30 deaths cases in China and Japan.